Hobbies And Interests
Program Your Camera in Advance
When photographing a child in motion, such as on a swing set or playing with the family pet, it helps to pre-program your camera's settings. Adjusting your ISO, aperture and shutter speed before you begin shooting will allow you focus on composing and capturing any spontaneous action. This tip also applies to formal indoor studio shoots. Take advantage of your camera's aperture priority mode -- this lets you choose the size of your lens opening while the camera does the rest, resulting in casual worry-free shooting.
Use Autofocus When Appropriate
Although manual focus should be used for accuracy when shooting formal portraits, your camera's autofocus function makes capturing action much simpler. Lock your focus by centering on the child and then depressing the shutter button halfway. With autofocus locked, you can keep your child sharply focused as they move around. If they move farther away from or closer to the camera, refocus by releasing the shutter button, centering on the child, and then depressing it halfway once more.
Be Creative in Your Composition
Sometimes more abstract photographs of children are the most emotionally potent. A photo of your child's knees covered in dirt and grass stains will serve as a fond reminder of carefree childhood once they are grown. Even pictures that are completely devoid of a child -- a still life of a messy toy room or a desk strewn with schoolwork and coloring crayons -- can evoke a child's presence and personality.
Use Burst Mode
Most digital cameras are equipped with burst or sequential shooting mode. When the shutter button is pressed the camera fires off a rapid sequence of frames, effectively capturing a quick action, gesture or change in facial expression. Burst mode is effective when shooting a sports game or recording the nuances in a child's behavior.